Wayside Announces New CEO and Pastor

For the past 14 years, Reverend Graham Long AM has led the Wayside Chapel in the role of CEO and Pastor, rebuilding it from near ruins into the thriving organisation it is today, and spreading the mission of creating community of no ‘us and them’ under a banner of ‘love over hate’. In September 2017, Graham announced in his weekly newsletter, Inner Circle, that he will be retiring from his current position at the end of 2018 to spend more time with family, spend more time studying and learning and allow someone else to take up the reigns.

 

Today, Graham announced the person who will be taking over the role of CEO and Pastor at Wayside Chapel and continuing to spread our mission is Pastor Jon Owen.

The recruitment process, led by Wayside Chapel Board of Directors and external recruitment company Hattonneale, started with an international search of over 100 potential candidates, and was narrowed down to five impressive choices. A further recruitment process proved Jon Owen, who has been Assistant Pastor at Wayside Chapel since October 2016, to be the ideal candidate for this prestigious position. All at Wayside Chapel are thrilled. Wayside Chapel Chairman, Ian Martin AM, said the decision to appoint Jon was unanimous.

“We went through a robust and independent recruitment process to ensure we were placing the future of Wayside in the safest hands. Jon lives and breathes the Wayside mission and has the rare combination of experience, vision and heart.”

Ian also paid tribute Graham’s phenomenal leadership.

“When Graham joined Wayside 15 years ago it was only a shadow of its current self. Our building was decrepit and much of it actually condemned, there was less than a handful of staff and its finances were such that its future was perilous.

“The contrast with today is amazing: its mission has been revitalised, its new building is a vibrant hub of community activity out of which a number of programs tailor-made for the social disadvantaged are run, there are close to 100 staff members who in turn co-ordinate more than 700 active volunteers, and Wayside also now operates in Bondi as well as Kings Cross.”

Jon Owen is no stranger to helping people who have fallen “by the wayside”. A migrant to Australia of Sri-Lankan and Indian heritage, he is a qualified Social Worker and for 20 years was a member of Urban Neighbours of Hope, a religious order dedicated to living and serving amongst the poor. He has opened his home to asylum seekers, refugees, people in recovery and ex-prisoners. In October 2016, Jon Owen took on the role of Assistant Pastor at Wayside and a few months later, became Head of People and Culture at Wayside.

From 1 July 2018, when Pastor Jon Owen will officially take over, Graham will remain at Wayside in the role “Pastor Emeritus,” to provide ongoing support to Jon. After a well-deserved break towards the end of the year, Graham will return to Wayside in mid-2019 to teach courses in philosophy, leadership and assist Jon as needed, including the Sunday service at Kings Cross.

Jon was overjoyed when he told the members of Wayside staff, volunteers and visitors on Wednesday morning.

“I have always found myself surrounded by people who saw the best in me. It has been my life’s mission to likewise see the beauty in others and to call it out.

“Wayside’s mission is to be there when people need us. People facing social isolation, homelessness, addiction and mental health issues on a grand scale. Striving to provide a community of no “us and them” is in the best interest of every person and all can play some part in this grand mission.”
As always, Wayside will carry on through this time of change, continuing to love and care for the most vulnerable members of our community and spreading our message of ‘love over hate’. Our community welcomes Jon as CEO and Pastor of Wayside Chapel and look forward to a bright future with him at the helm.

Jon Owen will officially take up the role on 1 July 2018.

Read full press release here.

For further information and media enquiries contact Janine Huan, Marketing and Communications Manager, on 0409 887 797 or email [email protected].